Canberra's City Plan

A sports stadium, urban beach and convention centre are among future projects that could transform the Canberra CBD.

The future developments were outlined as part of two government projects, “The City Plan” and “City to the Lake”, unveiled by the ACT Government on Tuesday.

The ACT Government spent $1 million on the plan and the Australian Government contributed a further $500,000 through its Liveable Cities Program. But the proposals speak in broad terms only, and do not include costings or a timeframe for most of the developments.

The Boardwalk.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said plans for the latter project included the potential construction of an aquatic facility and urban beach, a rectangular sports stadium, a new convention centre and cultural facilities between West Basin and Anzac Parade. It would also make Parkes Way a split-level boulevard, linking West Basin and Civic.

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Ms Gallagher said the two projects would play a role in making the city centre a “more dynamic, vibrant and sustainable place”.

“The City Plan will provide a blueprint for future infrastructure development, land release and incentives for redevelopment right across the city,” she said.

An artist's impression of the pool and beach.

“It will guide our decision-making on what facilities and infrastructure are needed, where these should be located, and what should be the appropriate mix of land use.”

The City Plan is intended to provide more insight into the promised light rail network and guide planning for the future stages of the project, including possible routes to the inner south and Woden.

According to ACT Government materials, the City Plan is the first to look at the city as a whole, and aims to better integrate Canberra City with public transport, parklands, residential buildings and ANU and CIT campuses, determining facilities needed in the city and outlining a transport infrastructure program.

City to Lake

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher today announced two projects that will guide future development in the City centre - ‘The City Plan’ and ‘City to the Lake’ projects.

“It will guide our decision-making on what facilities and infrastructure are needed, where these should be located, and what should be the appropriate mix of land use,” Ms Gallagher said.

The City to Lake project, part of The City Plan, envisions a much changed southern end of the city centre, stretching from the West Basin to Anzac Parade, including Canberra Olympic Pool and the existing convention centre.

That is where a new convention centre, a rectangular stadium with the capacity to seat more than 30,000 people, a regional aquatic centre and an urban beach would be found.

Between 15,000 and 20,000 new residents would live in the precinct, attracted by a mix of apartments, shops and cultural facilities.

Parkes Way would become a split level road, with underground and surface options, and “strategically located” new, multi-use car parks would be built.

The City Plan will incorporate the Capital Metro Light Rail project, predicted to cost $600 million and currently the subject of a study on how it will link existing ACT public transport networks.

Gungahlin will be the first centre to be linked to the city by light rail, with linking the City with Kingston via Barton, and with Woden a possible second stage.

The ACT government is seeking $15 million funding for light rail from the Australian Government’s Nation Building program.

The first stage of the The City Plan project involved the input of a Project Reference Group, among them business representatives, Canberra CBD Ltd, the ANU and the Heart Foundation.

Now the government is accepting public feedback, so those interested in learning more or expressing an opinion can go to cityplan.act.gov.au, attend a free public seminar at the Canberra Museum and Gallery or view a project display at Suite 1, 72 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City until 21 May 2013.

28 comments so far

I always love the fact that these representative streetscape views are always showing Summer skies and Summer temperatures.

What will it look like in Winter, is what I want to know.

Commenter

His Lordship

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 9:50AM

It will look pretty much the same except the sky will be grey and the people will be wearing beanies.

Commenter

Stir the pot

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:02AM

Actually, for winter, the sky would still be sunny, but people would be wearing beanies, jackets and scarves.

Commenter

What?

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:27AM

@What? Yeah, you're right. I love Canberra's blue winter skies. Also there will be Segways, lots of Segways.

Commenter

Stir the pot

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:36AM

Yes!! do it. Canberra needs something like this. We need to make use of that lake that we have. It would definitely make Canberra more of a 'city'.

Commenter

BB

Location

Canberra

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:09AM

As long as Parkes Way gets buried, this plan might end up succesful

Commenter

Xavier

Location

Reid

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:15AM

Have to agree with this.

Commenter

His Lordship

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:39AM

Another 'legacy'? While I kinda like the idea, I would rather the money was used for general infrastructure in the 'burbs, to make this place a real, unified city instead of one that only has the flash stuff, decent public transport etc, in the centre.

Commenter

Mardi

Location

Tuggeranong

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:16AM

How about it's being a nude beach?

Commenter

Eudaimonia

Location

Kingston

Date and time

March 26, 2013, 10:17AM

It doesn't say anything about it 'not' being a nude beach. I think you'd be fine to strip off and go for it.